7 Mac and Windows Tricks You’ll Thank Us For Later

Are you ready to unlock a treasure trove of hidden gems on your MacA Mac, short for Macintosh, is a line of personal computers developed by Apple Inc. Renowned for the... More or WindowsWindows is a widely used operating system developed by Microsoft Corporation, designed to provide a ... More computer?

Buckle up and get ready to have your mind blown (or at least mildly impressed 😉 by these life-changing tricks that will make you wonder how you ever survived without them.

Whether you’re a Mac maverick or a Windows wizard, we’ve got you covered in this entertaining and informative guide that will leave you grinning from ear to ear.

So, grab your reading glasses, put on your thinking cap, and let’s dive into the wonderful world of computer wizardry!

(Warning: Tech companies love rearranging things. If the instructions below aren’t exact, the tech fairies have probably moved things around. Try searching for the setting on your device. If that doesn’t work, ask a trusted friend or family member for help, or do a quick web search for instructions using your device model and software version.)

How to Adjust the Text and Icon Size

Is your desktop starting to look like a miniature city with tiny text and microscopic icons? Fear not, my friend! Adjusting the text and iconAn icon is a small graphical symbol used to represent an object, action, or concept in a digital int... More size on your Mac or Windows computer is as easy as pie.

For Mac users:

1. Click on your desktop and select “Show View Options” from the menu bar or right-click menu.
2. Use the “Icon size” slider to make those tiny icons grow like magic beans.
3. Choose your desired font size from the “Text size” drop-down menu and watch the words come to life!

For Windows users:

Method 1:

1. Right-click on your desktop and select “View” from the context menu.
2. Choose between “Large icons,” “Medium icons,” or “Small icons” and watch your desktop transform before your very eyes!

Method 2:

1. For even more customization, right-click on your desktop and select “Display Settings” from the menu.
2. ScrollScrolling is a fundamental action used to navigate through content on digital devices, such as compu... More down to “Scale and layout,” pick a scaling level that suits your fancy and voila! Your desktop is now a sight for sore eyes.

Adding Favorites to Your Start Page (Mac)

Do you have a few favorite websites that you visit more often than your grandkids? Well, now you can add them to your SafariSafari is a web browser developed by Apple Inc. and is the default browser on Apple devices, includi... More Start page and access them faster than you can say “world wide webThe World Wide Web (WWW), commonly known as the web, is a global system of interconnected digital co... More!”

1. Open Safari and navigate to your beloved websiteA website is a collection of interconnected web pages or digital content that are accessible via the... More.
2. Click on “Bookmarks” in the menu bar and select “Add BookmarkA bookmark is a saved shortcut to a specific webpage that allows users to quickly revisit their favo... More.”
3. In the pop-upA pop-up is a type of graphical user interface element that appears suddenly on top of the current c... More window, choose “Favorites” from the drop-down menu, give your bookmark a snazzy name, and click “Add.”
4. To display your Favorites on the Start page, click the menu icon in the lower right corner and check the box for “Favorites.” Alternatively, right-click on the Start page and select “Show Favorites.”
5. Now, whenever you open a new tab, your favorite sites will be just a click away!

How to Customize the Windows Start Menu

Is your Start menu looking a little bland? Spice it up with these customization tricks that will make your Windows experience more personalized than a monogrammed bathrobe!

For Windows 10:

1. Pin your favorite apps by right-clicking on them and selecting “Pin to Start.”
2. Create appAn app (short for application) is a program that helps you do specific tasks on your smartphone, tab... More folders by dragging one app icon over another in the pinned area.
3. Resize your Start menu by dragging its edges and resize tiles by right-clicking and choosing your preferred size.
4. Give your Start menu a makeover by going to “Settings,” clicking on “Personalization,” and selecting “Colors.” Choose an accent color that matches your personality and toggle between light and dark modes like a tech trendsetter!

For Windows 11:

1. Pin apps to the Start menu by clicking “All Apps,” right-clicking on your desired app, and selecting “Pin to Start.”
2. Create app folders by dragging one pinned app icon over another.
3. Expand your Start menu by clicking and dragging the right side, making room for even more app goodness!
4. Fine-tune your Start menu by clicking “Settings,” “Personalization,” and “Start.” Dive into a world of customization options that will make your Start menu the envy of all your tech-savvy friends!

Turn On the Hover Text Feature (Mac)

For those moments when you need a close-up, there’s a nifty little tool on your Mac called Hover Text. It’s like carrying around a magnifying glass, but cooler.

• Go to System Settings, choose Accessibility, and then Hover Text.
• Toggle it on, and now, when you press the Command key and hover over any text, it gets nice and big—no squinting required!

No more accidentally clicking the wrong button or straining your eyes to read tiny text!

Microsoft Copilot (Windows 11)

Ever wish your computer could understand you and do all the boring stuff for you? Say hello to Microsoft Copilot! It’s like having a helpful robot sidekick, but without the sci-fi world-ending drama.

1. Click on the colorful, swirly icon on the right end of the taskbar or use the shortcut Windows Key-C to summon your digital assistant.
2. Use your voice or typing to ask Copilot for help with writing recommendations, sprucing up emails, generating goofy images, and so much more!
3. Drag an image file onto Copilot or select an area of the screen for it to explain, and watch as it works its magic.

With Copilot by your side, you’ll be able to tackle any task with ease and have a blast while doing it!

Jump Lists (Windows)

Jump Lists are like a shortcut buffet for all the stuff you’ve recently opened. They live in your taskbar and Start Menu, and they’re here to make your life easier.

• Right-click on any pinned program, and you’ll see a list of your recent files related to that app—this is the Jump List in action.
• Want to keep an item handy? Just right-click and click Pin—it’ll stay there like an old loyal friend.
• Not feeling nostalgic? You can even clear these lists through Settings > Personalization > Start.

Goodbye Forever: Deleting Files Permanently (Windows)

You know when you throw something away, and it’s still hanging around in the trash? The same happens on your computer. To say goodbye forever:

• On Windows, hold Shift + Delete to skip the Recycle Bin.
• On a Mac, select the file, then click File from the menu bar, hold the Option key, and pick Delete Immediately. Magic!

Say It With an Emoji

Need to add a little ✨flair✨ to your messages? Here’s how you get to the emojiEmoji are small symbols or pictures used in text messages, social media, and online chats to show fe... More menu in a flash:

• On Mac, press Ctrl + Cmd + Spacebar.
• On Windows, press Windows and the “.” (period). Get that pizza slice emoji ready to go! 🍕

More Enjoyable Than a Bucket of Kittens!

There you have it, folks! Seven Mac and Windows tricks that will make your computing experience more enjoyable than a bucket of kittens.

Whether you’re making things bigger, organizing your desktop, or making Windows do all the hard work for you, these tricks are easy, helpful, and dare we say…fun?

So go ahead, give these tips a spin, and maybe even impress the grandkids while you’re at it!